European defence company KNDS has confirmed plans to go public in 2026, with a stock market listing in both Paris and Frankfurt. The German-French group, manufactures the Leopard 2 main battle tank and the CAESAR artillery system.
Germany has approved €50 billion in new spending to modernise its armed forces. The funds will be used to buy equipment and clothing for soldiers, expand missile defence systems such as Arrow 3 and Patriot, and purchase additional Puma infantry fighting vehicles.
Germany has opened a new Joint Drone Defence Centre in Berlin, which becomes operational in January, brings together agencies to counter drone threats, with increasing sightings near airports, military sites and energy facilities.
Germany’s armed forces have signed a €1.7 billion contract with Rheinmetall for access to satellite-based reconnaissance data with regular radar images supplied through a partnership with Finnish satellite operator ICEYE.
Spain has placed four contracts for 100 Airbus helicopters for its army, navy, and air force, including the H135, H145M, H175M and NH90, as part of a major fleet modernisation effort.
The European Maritime Safety Agency has awarded Airbus a €30 million contract to provide maritime surveillance services using the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system to stream electro-optical, infrared, and radar imagery in real time to the EMSA RPAS Data Centre, with operations set to begin in 2026.
Schiebel has carried out the first CAMCOPTER S-300 flight test campaign in France, expanding the system’s flight envelope during trials conducted at a military drone test site near Bordeaux, and bringing the programme to a total of 100 accumulated flight hours.
Austria has signed a contract for 12 M-346 F Block 20 aircraft from Leonardo, covering aircraft delivery, training systems, and six years of logistical and maintenance support. The M-346 F aircraft will replace the Saab 105, which retired from Austrian service in 2020.
Leonardo has signed a contract with Italy’s TELEDIFE to develop and deliver four next-generation radars for the Michelangelo Dome air and missile defence system, intended to detect and track ballistic threats at ranges of up to 3,000 kilometres.
The Indian Navy has commissioned INAS 335, its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, at INS Hansa in Goa. The unit is now operational and is intended to support shipborne aviation missions, including anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and search and rescue on the western seaboard.
Finland has rolled out its first F-35A fighter, designated JF-501, at Lockheed Martin’s facility in the United States. The aircraft will support pilot training in 2026 before entering Finnish Air Force service, alongside new AIM-120D-3 missile procurement.
Poland has declared full operational capability for its IBCS-enabled WISŁA air defence system, making it the first U.S. NATO ally to field the networked command system. The move follows live-fire tests and expands Poland’s integrated air and missile defence.
The Indian Navy has commissioned DSC A20, its first indigenously built Diving Support Craft, at Kochi. Built by Titagarh Rail Systems, the vessel will support underwater inspections, repairs and diving operations along India’s coast.
GE Aerospace has received orders to provide eight LM2500 marine gas turbine engines for two future U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers, extending the long-running use of the propulsion system across the class.
The German Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 Sea Tiger helicopter, with a total of 31 Sea Tigers planned to replaced the Sea Lynx fleet. The NH90 is equipped with sonar systems and can deploy torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
